hammer-head

A hammer-head swims near a coral reef.

Definition

1. Noun:
   • The head of a hammer: "hammer-head" refers to the heavy metal striking part of a hammer, typically made of steel, attached to the handle.
   • A type of shark: "hammer-head" is a colloquial term for a hammerhead shark, a shark of the family Sphyrnidae, characterized by a flattened, laterally extended head resembling a hammer.
   • A person with a stubborn or dull-witted nature: Informally, "hammer-head" can describe someone who is obstinate or slow to understand, likened to the unyielding metal of a hammer.

Usage Examples

• The head of a hammer:

  • The hammer-head cracked after hitting the concrete repeatedly. (The metal striking part broke from repeated impact.)
  • He replaced the worn hammer-head with a new one from the hardware store. (He swapped the damaged head for a replacement.)

• A type of shark:

  • We spotted a hammer-head swimming near the reef. (We saw a hammerhead shark in the ocean.)
  • The hammer-head uses its wide head to pin stingrays to the seafloor. (The shark employs its unique head shape for hunting.)

• A stubborn person (informal):

  • Don't argue with that hammer-head; he never listens to reason. (Don't debate that obstinate person, who refuses to change his mind.)
  • She called him a hammer-head for refusing to admit he was wrong. (She insulted him for his stubbornness.)

Advanced Usage

• "to have a hammer-head": to be stubborn or inflexible in thinking.

  • He has a hammer-head about changing the schedule. (He is obstinately resistant to altering the plan.)

• "hammer-head turn": in aviation, a steep climbing turn followed by a vertical dive, resembling the shape of a hammer head.

  • The pilot executed a hammer-head turn during the airshow. (The aircraft performed a dramatic maneuver.)

Variants and Related Words

• Hammerhead (n): a single-word variant, more commonly used than "hammer-head," especially for the shark.

  • The hammerhead shark is known for its distinctive head. (The shark species is famous for its unique anatomy.)

• Hammer-headed (adj): having a head shaped like a hammer; also used figuratively to mean stubborn.

  • The hammer-headed bat has a distinctive facial structure. (The bat species has a hammer-shaped head.)

Synonyms

• For the hammer part: striking face, mallet head.
• For the shark: hammerhead shark, sphyrnid.
• For a stubborn person: blockhead, mule, obstinate person.

Related Idioms

• "Like a hammer-head": used to describe someone who is unreasonably stubborn.

  • He argued like a hammer-head, refusing to consider any other viewpoint. (He debated with extreme obstinacy.)

• "To hammer it home": not directly related, but shares the hammer metaphor; means to emphasize a point forcefully.

  • The teacher hammered it home that the test was next week. (She stressed the deadline repeatedly.)